_____ Does your child have the papers, books, pencils and other things neededto do assignments?

_____ Does your child have a well-lit, fairly quiet place to study?

_____ Do you set a good example by showing your child that the skills she/he islearning are an important part of the things she/he will do as an adult?

_____ Do you stay in touch with your child’s teacher?

2. Monitor assignments:

_____ Do you know what your child’s homework assignments are? How long they should take? How the teacher wants you to be involved in them?

_____ Do you see that your child starts and completes assignments?

_____ Do you read the teacher’s comments on assignments that are returned?

_____ Is TV viewing or video game playing cutting into your child’s homework time?

3. Provide guidance:

_____ Do you help your child to get organized? Does your child need a schedule or assignment book? A book bag or backpack and a folder for papers?

_____ Do you encourage your child to develop good study habits (for example, scheduling enough time for big assignments; making up practice tests?)

_____ Do you talk with your child about homework assignments? Does she/he understand them?

4. Talk with teachers to resolve problems:

_____ Do you meet with the teacher early in the year before any problems arise?

_____ If a problem comes up, do you meet with the teacher?

_____ Do you cooperate with the teacher to work out a plan and a schedule to solve homework problems?

_____ Do you follow up with the teacher and with your child to make sure the plan is working?

US Department of Education

Office of Communication and Outreach

Washington, DC 2005

As children enter middle school, the parents often become less involved in their lives. However, adolescents need as much attention and love as when they were younger, possibly more! Here are some tips to help children through early adolescence:

Stay involved in your child's life, both inside and outside of school.

Provide both unconditional love and appropriate limits to help your child thrive and feel safe.

Learn as much as you can about early adolescence.

Talk with your child often about what is most important to him/her.

Hold your child to high, but realistic, standards.

Show that you value education.

Provide opportunities for your teenager to succeed.

Monitor your child's friendships.

Work with your child to become more aware of the media and how to use the media appropriately.

* Don't accept excuses for why your child "must" miss or be late for school.

* Discuss with your child what happened at school each day.

* Support school rules and consequences for skipping class and being tardy.

* Show your support for the importance of education. Give specific examples of how education helps.

* Lead by example. If children see parents taking time off from work for no real reason, they may expect to be able to do the same thing.

ATTENDANCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The single most important factor contributing to student achievement is attendance. Students must be in school to be successful.

Did you know that students who attend school regularly...

Have higher test scores.

Are more involved in school activities.

Feel safer.

Maintain healthy friendships.

Are less inclined to participate in at-risk behaviors.

Are more likely to graduate.

Are more likely to attend college.

Habits that children develop in their school “career” often transfer to their work career. Help your child develop the habit of attending school every day, on time, and being prepared for the day!

OPS strongly believes that daily attendanceis critical to academic achievement. We expect every student to attend school and classes on time everyday.

OPS Research shows that there is a meaningful link between student attendance and achievement. Please call the school when your child is unable to attend. Follow up with teachers to find out about missed schoolwork.

Young people are more successful in school when caring adults are involved in their education. This is true from preschool through high school.